Measuring device for determining and/or monitoring the amount of contents in a container

Abstract

A fill-measuring device for determining and/or monitoring the fill level of a container, includes: a membrane ( 1 ) which can be caused to vibrate; a rigid membrane rim ( 2 ) in which the membrane ( 1 ) is disposed; a drive device ( 4 ) having a drive end face ( 5 ) to impel the membrane ( 1 ) into vibration, and/or to convert vibrations of the membrane ( 1 ) into an electrical signal; and an attaching device ( 13 ) for attaching the drive device ( 4 ) to the membrane rim ( 2 ); wherewith, according to the invention: a part of the attaching device ( 13 ) is disposed in a region extending between the membrane ( 1 ) and the drive end face ( 5 ) of the drive device ( 4 ); and at least one pressure transmission element ( 6 ) is disposed between the membrane ( 1 ) and the drive end face ( 5 ) of the drive device ( 4 ), in a manner such that the membrane ( 1 ) and the drive end face ( 5 ) are coupled together for purposes of transmission of vibration.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A fill-measuring device for determining and/or monitoring the fill level of a container, said device being comprised of:
 a membrane ( 1 ) which is configured to vibrate; 
 a rigid membrane rim ( 2 ) in which the membrane ( 1 ) is disposed; 
 a drive device ( 4 ) having a drive end face ( 5 ) capable of at least one of, impelling the membrane ( 1 ) into vibration, and converting vibrations of the membrane ( 1 ) into an electrical signal; and 
 an attaching device ( 13 ) for attaching the drive device ( 4 ) to the membrane rim ( 2 ); 
 characterized in that: 
 a part of the attaching device ( 13 ) is disposed in a region extending between the membrane ( 1 ) and the drive end face ( 5 ) of the drive device ( 4 ); and 
 at least one pressure transmission element ( 6 ) is disposed between the membrane ( 1 ) and the drive end face ( 5 ) of the drive device ( 4 ), in a manner such that the membrane ( 1 ) and the drive end face ( 5 ) are coupled together for purposes of transmission of vibration; 
 wherein the pressure transmission element is attached to a membrane shaft which projects from the membrane in the direction of the drive device; 
 and wherein the attaching device ( 13 ) is disposed in the region between the drive end face ( 5 ) of the drive device ( 4 ) and the membrane ( 1 ) in such a way as to be separated by a distance from said membrane ( 1 ). 
 
     
     
       2. A fill-measuring device according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one part or member of the pressure transmission element ( 6 ) extends through at least one throughgoing opening ( 18 ) of the attaching device ( 13 ) in a frictionless manner. 
     
     
       3. A fill-measuring device according to  claim 1 , wherein the attaching device ( 13 °) connects a tensile element ( 16 ) with the membrane rim ( 2 ), and said attaching device ( 13 °) is configured so as to extend around the pressure transmission element ( 6 ), to the side of said pressure transmission element ( 6 ), in a frictionless manner. 
     
     
       4. A fill-measuring device according to  claim 1 , wherein a tensile element ( 16 ) is attached to the attaching device ( 13 ), which tensile element ( 16 ) extends through the drive device ( 4 ) and applies stress to the side of the drive device ( 4 ) which is directed away from the membrane ( 1 ), which stress is directed toward said membrane ( 1 ). 
     
     
       5. A fill-measuring device according to  claim 4 , wherein the tensile element ( 16 ) extends through the drive device ( 4 ) from the region of the attaching device ( 13 ) which region is located between the drive end face ( 5 ) of the drive device ( 4 ) and the membrane ( 1 ), and said tensile element ( 16 ) applies stress to the side of the drive device ( 4 ) which side is directed away from the membrane ( 1 ), said stress being applied to at least part of a surface ( 11 ) of the pressure transmission element ( 6 ), and being directed toward the membrane ( 1 ). 
     
     
       6. A fill-measuring device according to  claim 4 , wherein the tensile element ( 16 ) is a tensile rod or tensile bolt which extends through an opening in the drive device ( 4 ). 
     
     
       7. A fill-measuring device according to  claim 1 , wherein the pressure transmission element ( 6 ) is attached to a membrane shaft ( 7 ) which projects from the membrane ( 1 ) in the direction of the drive device ( 4 ), said attachment being particularly by screwing. 
     
     
       8. A fill-measuring device according to  claim 1 , wherein the attaching device ( 13 ) is securely attached to the membrane rim ( 2 ), particularly by welding. 
     
     
       9. A fill-measuring device according to  claim 1 , wherein the attaching device ( 13 ) is disposed separately at a distance from the drive end face ( 5 ) of the drive device ( 4 ). 
     
     
       10. A fill-measuring device according to  claim 1 , wherein the drive device ( 4 ) is comprised of an array of superposed piezoelectric elements. 
     
     
       11. A fill-measuring device for determining and/or monitoring the fill level of a container, said device being comprised of:
 a membrane ( 1 ) which is configured to vibrate; 
 a rigid membrane rim ( 2 ) in which the membrane ( 1 ) is disposed; 
 a drive device ( 4 ) having a drive end face ( 5 ) capable of at least one of, impelling the membrane ( 1 ) into vibration, and converting vibrations of the membrane ( 1 ) into an electrical signal; and 
 an attaching device ( 13 ) for attaching the drive device ( 4 ) to the membrane rim ( 2 ); 
 characterized in that: 
 a part of the attaching device ( 13 ) is disposed in a region extending between the membrane ( 1 ) and the drive end face ( 5 ) of the drive device ( 4 ); and 
 at least one pressure transmission element ( 6 ) is disposed between the membrane ( 1 ) and the drive end face ( 5 ) of the drive device ( 4 ), in a manner such that the membrane ( 1 ) and the drive end face ( 5 ) are coupled together for purposes of transmission of vibration; 
 wherein the pressure transmission element is attached to a membrane shaft which projects from the membrane in the direction of the drive device; 
 and wherein a tensile element ( 16 ) is attached to the attaching device ( 13 ), which tensile element ( 16 ) extends through the drive device ( 4 ) and applies stress to the side of the drive device ( 4 ) which is directed away from the membrane ( 1 ), which stress is directed toward said membrane ( 1 ). 
 
     
     
       12. A fill-measuring device according to  claim 11 , wherein at least one part or member of the pressure transmission element ( 6 ) extends through at least one throughgoing opening ( 18 ) of the attaching device ( 13 ) in a frictionless manner. 
     
     
       13. A fill-measuring device according to  claim 11 , wherein the attaching device ( 13 °) connects a tensile element ( 16 ) with the membrane rim ( 2 ), and said attaching device ( 13 °) is configured so as to extend around the pressure transmission element ( 6 ), to the side of said pressure transmission element ( 6 ), in a frictionless manner. 
     
     
       14. A fill-measuring device according to  claim 11 , wherein the tensile element ( 16 ) extends through the drive device ( 4 ) from the region of the attaching device ( 13 ) which region is located between the drive end face ( 5 ) of the drive device ( 4 ) and the membrane ( 1 ), and said tensile element ( 16 ) applies stress to the side of the drive device ( 4 ) which side is directed away from the membrane ( 1 ), said stress being applied to at least part of a surface ( 11 ) of the pressure transmission element ( 6 ), and being directed toward the membrane ( 1 ). 
     
     
       15. A fill-measuring device according to  claim 11 , wherein the tensile element ( 16 ) is a tensile rod or tensile bolt which extends through an opening in the drive device ( 4 ). 
     
     
       16. A fill-measuring device according to  claim 11 , wherein the pressure transmission element ( 6 ) is attached to a membrane shaft ( 7 ) which projects from the membrane ( 1 ) in the direction of the drive device ( 4 ), said attachment being particularly by screwing. 
     
     
       17. A fill-measuring device according to  claim 11 , wherein the attaching device ( 13 ) is securely attached to the membrane rim ( 2 ), particularly by welding. 
     
     
       18. A fill-measuring device according to  claim 11 , wherein the attaching device ( 13 ) is disposed separately at a distance from the drive end face ( 5 ) of the drive device ( 4 ). 
     
     
       19. A fill-measuring device according to  claim 11 , wherein the drive device ( 4 ) is comprised of an array of superposed piezoelectric elements.